There are a few people on both sides of my family who will find things to fret about. I am one of them; my mother was another.

Another notable fretter is my paternal aunt so you see, it's not just one side of the family.

I sometimes have glorious days when everything fits into place and I am content. They are few and far between. Mostly, I have niggling anxiety about almost anything - what my husband calls:'too many bricks in your hod'.

I have an adult daughter who has Down's Syndrome living at home. It doesn't make for a spontaneous life and she is often unwell, but it's not that onerous. There is always something to do with her or on her behalf. I suppose the caring role that is often highlighted in the press as hard work and mostly unsung, applies to me and my husband too.

One of the little tricks I try to practice is to say 'switch'. This makes me take on a different attitude - pleased that we have enough of everything, including love. I must practice it more regularly though. It does help to keep the anxiety at arm's length!

Liz N

A Moodscope member.